Marion County Judge/Executive John G. Mattingly on Tuesday declared a state of emergency due to the effects of flooding April 25-26 in Marion County.
Judge Mattingly said state officials asked county officials to go ahead an issue states of emergency. The county has had some isolated damage, but nothing like the damage during the ice storm in 2009 or the flooding last year.
Mattingly added that the declaration was also issued in case the federal government declares Kentucky to be a disaster area. If that happens only areas that have declared states of emergency will be eligible for federal funding, he said.
Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency for Kentucky on April 25 because of the impact of several storms and flooding throughout the state. Heavy rains have already affected Kentucky, southwest Missouri, southern Illinois and southern Indiana, and more storms are forecast to come through the region this week.
"This declaration opens up the pipelines and the purse strings to enable us to get resources to where they are needed, as quickly as possible," Beshear said in a press statement. "In addition, all of state government has been mobilized to assist Kentuckians in need."
Anyone who encounters a downed power line should not approach it. Instead call your local utility provider to report the fallen line. The number for Inter-County Energy is 1-888-266-7322. The number for Kentucky Utilities is 1-800-981-0600.
Drivers should avoid roadways that have been flooded over. Six inches of moving water can sweep a person off their feet, and two feet of rushing water can sweep away a large vehicle, such as an SUV.
For information on road conditions, citizens can visit www.511.ky.gov or call 511.

Citizens are advised to avoid contact with flood waters whenever possible. Safety guidelines are available at the health alerts website, http://healthalerts.ky.gov/.